The Massachusetts House is scheduled to begin debate on the state budget today with more than 1,200 amendments to consider. Despite the large number of amendments, the House leadership intends to keep the process on track to produce a final state budget by an end of June deadline.

A state budget agreement has been reached on Beacon Hill, one week into the new fiscal year in Massachusetts. Votes are scheduled this afternoon in the House and Senate on a $38.1 billion budget for fiscal year 2016.

Governor Charlie Baker will have 10 days to act on the budget. He can sign it, or veto all or parts of the budget.

State Representative Stephen Kulik of Worthington is part of the six-member conference committee that produced the final budget deal Tuesday night. He spoke this morning with WAMC’s Pioneer Valley Bureau Chief Paul Tuthill.

Massachusetts House leaders have proposed a state budget for the fiscal year that starts July 1st. The budget crafted by House Democrats includes no new taxes or fees and does not differ dramatically from the budget filed a month ago by Republican Governor Charlie Baker. WAMC’s Pioneer Valley Bureau Chief Paul Tuthill spoke with State Representative Stephen Kulik of Worthington, who is vice-chair of the House Ways and Means Committee.

The Massachusetts House Ways and Means Committee released its proposed state budget this week. It calls for slightly less spending than the $32.6 million budget proposed by Governor Deval Patrick. WAMC’s Pioneer Valley Bureau Chief Paul Tuthill spoke with State Representative Stephen Kulik of Worthington, who is vice-chair of the committee.